News

The Borough of Poole is one of 10 Councils across the south to unite against careless drivers who are endangering the safety of children and school crossing Patrol Officers.

School crossing Patrol Officers, or lollipop men and women as they are more commonly known are having their work jeopardised by drivers that won't slow down or stop for crossings.

Martin Baker, Senior Road Safety Engineer for the Borough said: "It's absolutely terrible, some of the drivers have been driving right up to the Patrol Officers, revving their engines or not even stopping at all. The worst part is that the children who are crossing with them are put in danger too."

The week long campaign that will be running from 23 - 27 September aims to draw attention to those people who are breaking the law by failing to stop for Patrol Officers. Local businesses have been distributing information and resources and schools have also been targeted. Pupils will be taking home special packs to their parents, with information on why drivers must stop and the penalties they face if they do not.

Cllr Graham Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Community Development, said: "The work that Patrol Officers carry out is vital to the safety of our young school children, they encourage confident and intelligent road safety awareness and the selfish acts of impatient drivers threatens to undermine this. I encourage anyone that witnesses an incident where a driver does not stop at a crossing to take down their registration number and report them to the police! This behaviour must stop so that Patrol Officers can carry out their duties and children can get to and from school without fear."

For more information about school crossing patrols visit the Department for Transport Website at www.dft.gov.uk or pick up a leaflet from the Civic Centre reception or contact Sharon Ellis of Transportation Services on (01202) 262032.